Poker Article: Favorite Poker Game Types

There are many variations of the game of Poker. Although today's most favorite poker game is Texas Holdem, there are others that are nearly as popular. Here is a concise description of the most popular and favorite poker games:

• Texas Holdem Poker - Texas Holdem is today's most popular poker game. It is extremely popular in online poker rooms as well as in live casino rooms. The popularity of the WSOP, whose tournament is based on this game, has been largely responsible for its growth in popularity. It has also become a staple in most online poker rooms. There are 3 subclasses of the Texas Holdem game: (1) The "No Limit" version puts no limit on the amount players can bet in a hand; (2) the "Pot Limit" version of the game restricts the amount that can be bet on the current pot amount; and (3) the "Limit" version places strict limits that can be bet on each round of a game. Holdem is played with 2 initial pocket cards (which are face-down), followed by an ensuing bet. After this, 3 community cards are dealt face-up, which are used by all players. After betting again, a 4th card, known as the "turn" card is placed face-up. After betting again, a 5th face-up card, known as the "river" card is provided to all players, and a final round of betting takes place. Betting ceases in any round, when only 1 player remains. In the end, the player holding the best 5-card hand (of their 7 playable cards) wins the hand and the pot.

• Omaha Hi Poker - In this poker game, each player is dealt 4 face-down hole cards, and 5 community cards are dealt face-up for all players to use. Once again, the best 5-card hand using only 2 of the 4 hole cards, and 3 of the 5 community cards, is declared the victor. Similar to the Holdem game described above, there are 4 rounds of betting.

• Omaha Hi/Lo Poker - This poker game has many similarities with Omaha Hi/Lo poker, but has some slight differences. In this game, the entire pot is split into 2: half going to the player with the highest hand, and half going to the player with the lowest hand. For low hands, both flushes and straights are disregarded. Hence, it is possible for a single hand to be both a winning High and winning Low hand (for example, an Ace, 2, 3, 4, and 5 would constitute such a hand). If there isn't a single low-hand winner, then the entire pot is awarded to the high hand winner. Another difference in this game, is that you can use a different hand for your low hand than from your high hand (using the 7 playable cards).

• Omaha 8 (or Better) Poker - This poker game is a variant of the Omaha Hi/Lo poker game. Again, there are two winners in this game - one for the Low hand and one for the High hand. The one big difference, however, is that a Low hand must have cards that are 8 or lower, and be non-paired. Again, flushes and straights are not counted in a low hand. In this game, the possibility exists that you will not have a low hand winner -- in this case, the entire pot is awarded to the High hand winner.

• Seven Card Stud Poker - This poker game is slightly different from Holdem or the Omaha games. In this game, each player gets 7 cards during the course of a game. Three of them are down-cards, and four of them are up-cards and are only used by that player, but can be seen by all. In the initial round, each player receives 2 down cards and 1 up-card. During each round, each player can place one bet and can raise up to three times. In subsequent rounds, another up-card is dealt to each player, and similar betting practices take place. In the last round, a final down-card is dealt to each player. After final betting occurs, the player with the best five-card hand of the 7 cards dealt, wins.

• Seven Card Stud 8 (or Better) Poker - Seven Card Stud 8 or better is a variation on the theme of the Seven Card Stud poker game. Similar rules apply except that there are 2 winning hands per game - one for the best High hand, and one for the Similar to the Omaha 8 or Better poker game, the Lo hand cannot contain a card that is higher than an 8. if no players have such a hand, then the entire pot is given to the lucky player with the best High hand.